A Bradford family threatened with court action and bailiffs by British Gas over an unpaid bill has received an apology from the energy giant.

The firm admitted it had failed to update its records and had two accounts registered for Mark Merifield’s house on Burnham Avenue, Bierley.

Mr Merifield, 45, told the Telegraph & Argus he had been living under the cloud for four years, with a firm acting on behalf of British Gas claiming he owed £1,900.

During that time he said he received letters containing threats to turn his gas off, and correspondence claiming a warrant to search his house had been obtained.

Mr Merifield, a father of two young children, said he even received a phone call from a debt collector while he was enjoying a meal out with his wife.

“I have had enough,” said a fed-up Mr Merifield, who has lived in the house since 2006.

“Myself and my wife have had enough, we really have. It has caused a lot of stress.

“We want an end to this, it has been going on for too long.”

He added: “They said I owed money when I didn’t owe any at all. Whenever I phoned British Gas, they said not to worry because I didn’t owe any money but I kept getting letters.”

British Gas said an error meant it had two accounts registered to Mr Merifield’s address.

Leonie Edwards, of British Gas, pledged that Mr Merifield’s credit record would not be affected by its mistake.

She said: “I am very sorry that we sent a bill to Mr Merifield in error. Unfortunately when we received the information we didn’t update our records which meant that further bills were sent.

“We have contacted Mr Merifield to apologise and to confirm there will be no further correspondence or action from us.”